Pune Low Birth Weight Study – Birth to Adulthood – Cognitive Development.

Objective: To assess the cognitive development of nonhandicapped low birth weight (LBW) infants at 18 years. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Infants born between 1987 - 1989 with birth weight less than 2000g and discharged from a neonatal special care unit were followed up till the age of 18 years. Methods: The intelligence quotient (IQ) was determined by Raven’s progressive matrices. Assessment of adjustment and aptitude was done. Results: The cohort of 161 LBW infants was divided into three groups according to their gestation - preterm SGA (n=61), full term SGA (n=30) and preterm AGA (n=70). 71 full term AGA infants served as controls. The IQ of the study group (Percentile 39.3) was significantly lower than that of controls (Percentile 54.9) (P=0.002). Preterm SGA subjects had the lowest IQ (Percentile 35.5), though just within normal limits. Males from the study group had significantly lower IQ than male controls (P=0.03). The IQ of PTSGA subjects of college educated mothers (P=0.004) and belonging to higher socio-economic class (P=0.04) was significantly higher. On the differential aptitude test, PTSGA subjects were poor in speed and mechanical reasoning. The 18 year IQ could be best predicted by IQ at 6 and 12 years. Conclusion: Preterm SGA children have the lowest IQ at 18 years, males have lower IQ. Maternal education and socioeconomic status have great impact on cognitive development. Good prediction of the 18 year IQ can be done by the 6 and 12 year IQ.

Pune Low Birth Weight Study – Growth from Birth to Adulthood.

Objective: To assess the growth, adiposity and blood pressure of non-handicapped low birthweight children at 18 years. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Infants born between 1987-1989 with birthweight less than 2000g, discharged from a neonatal special care unit of a referral hospital and followed up till the age of 18 years. Methods: The height, weight, and head circumference were measured. Measurements for adiposity, blood pressure, parental height and weight were recorded. Results: The cohort of 161 low birth weight (LBW) infants was divided into three groups according to their gestation – preterm SGA (n=61), full term SGA (n=30) and preterm AGA (n=70). 71 full term AGA infants served as controls. Preterm SGA males had height of 164.5 cms (162-166.9, 95% CI) which was significantly R E S E A R CH P A P E R INDIAN PEDIATRICS 727 VOLUME 49__SEPTEMBER 16, 2012 less (mean deficit = 5.7 cms) than that of controls (P=0.02). However, PTSGA children were short inspite of normal midparental height. Preterm SGA and AGA children had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity and no child had hypertension. Mid-parental height was an important determinant of height in LBW children. Both parents’ weight and BMI were important determinants of weight and BMI, respectively in all LBW children. Conclusion: Preterm SGA males were short, but there was no difference in the weight of the LBW group and controls. Preterms had smaller head circumference. There was no evidence of adiposity or hypertension.